MAQUOKETA, IA. — Ron Paul continued to hammer on economic issues Thursday, telling a crowd in Maquoketa that gridlock in Congress could be traced to the country’s $15 trillion national debt.

“This is why there’s such an impasse in Washington, because they won’t admit this. They won’t say that we’ve spent too much and the government is too big,” he said. “They just fuss and fume about pretending that they are going to cut. There are no real cuts proposed.”

That talking point has been a common touchstone for the congressman as Paul paints himself as the most-equipped candidate to address the nation’s economic woes.

Paul has vowed to trim $1 trillion from the federal budget during his first year in office, to create a limited and sustainable government.

He also said he would support abolishing the income tax and “perhaps, someday, eliminate the IRS,” a comment that drew applause.

“You should have the right to determine how to spend the money you earn,” he said.

OTHER THEMES: Paul got a few shout-outs from some unlikely fans.

Democrat Travis Bockenstedt of Cedar Rapids told the congressman he was “on the verge of converting.”

“I am a gay Iowan, and one thing that I do like is that you’re staying out of my bedroom,” said the 24-year-old, whose remarks were applauded.

Bockenstedt then added: “I know you have your feelings about that and that’s OK. I’m not going to trust any politician that would be a single-issue politician this season. That is not what our country needs.”

Michelle Godez-Schilling of Dodgeville, Wis., made a similar announcement in Dubuque.

“I am actually a Democrat, and I am in love with you,” she confessed.

SETTINGS: The basement of the Historic Clinton Engines Building in Maquoketa, which held a crowd of about 150 people; the Grand River Center in Dubuque, 300 people; and a building on the Delaware County Fairgrounds in Manchester, 150 people.

THE CANDIDATE’S DAY: Paul was on the second day of a two-day campaign swing.